A Princess of Mars

"And more still I have to say, ere it is again too late," I returned.

"I have done many strange things in my life, many things that wiser men

would not have dared, but never in my wildest fancies have I dreamed of

winning a Dejah Thoris for myself--for never had I dreamed that in all

the universe dwelt such a woman as the Princess of Helium. That you

are a princess does not abash me, but that you are you is enough to

make me doubt my sanity as I ask you, my princess, to be mine."

"He does not need to be abashed who so well knew the answer to his plea

before the plea were made," she replied, rising and placing her dear

hands upon my shoulders, and so I took her in my arms and kissed her.

And thus in the midst of a city of wild conflict, filled with the

alarms of war; with death and destruction reaping their terrible

harvest around her, did Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, true daughter

of Mars, the God of War, promise herself in marriage to John Carter,

Gentleman of Virginia.